Peter Schmuck's Orioles observation deck (Week 16)

Duquette's latest diamond in the rough

Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

It seems that baseball operations chief Dan Duquette is never happier than when he's rummaging around some other team's attic looking for good stuff that is gathering dust. The latest case in point is the seemingly minor deal that sent Russ Canzler to the Pirates for 6-foot-6 former first-round draft choice Tim Alderson. Alderson is a big right-hander with a minor league record as long as your arm. In parts of seven minor league seasons, he's made 200 appearances for six minor league clubs in two organizations and has pitched well at every level. He just never popped for anybody, but Duquette really believes that's about to change. The rub? Even though he's been knocking around the minors since 2007, he's only 24 years old. And Duquette has guessed right enough over the past couple of years that you better keep an eye on the kid.

It seems that baseball operations chief Dan Duquette is never happier than when he's rummaging around some other team's attic looking for good stuff that is gathering dust. The latest case in point is the seemingly minor deal that sent Russ Canzler to the Pirates for 6-foot-6 former first-round draft choice Tim Alderson. Alderson is a big right-hander with a minor league record as long as your arm. In parts of seven minor league seasons, he's made 200 appearances for six minor league clubs in two organizations and has pitched well at every level. He just never popped for anybody, but Duquette really believes that's about to change. The rub? Even though he's been knocking around the minors since 2007, he's only 24 years old. And Duquette has guessed right enough over the past couple of years that you better keep an eye on the kid. (Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun)

The July 31 deadline for making trades without passing players through waivers is less than two weeks away, and it wouldn't be a great surprise if the Orioles pull off another deal to add to their pitching staff. Duquette already got his veteran starter, but he's got to be alert to the opportunity to pick up one more dependable reliever. Right now, Buck Showalter is experimenting with Jairo Asencio (pictured) and may soon take a look at newly acquired Alderson, but the stretch run is about to begin and there is no substitute for major league experience in every corner of the bullpen.

The July 31 deadline for making trades without passing players through waivers is less than two weeks away, and it wouldn't be a great surprise if the Orioles pull off another deal to add to their pitching staff. Duquette already got his veteran starter, but he's got to be alert to the opportunity to pick up one more dependable reliever. Right now, Buck Showalter is experimenting with Jairo Asencio (pictured) and may soon take a look at newly acquired Alderson, but the stretch run is about to begin and there is no substitute for major league experience in every corner of the bullpen. (Mitchell Layton / Getty Images)